Division 1 FC Borough Hosted Crossblades FC in the WG Parr Trophy and handed them a lesson in total football. Crossblades have had an arduous start to season and their apprehension towards today's fixture was just as FC Borough ran out convincing 8-0 winners. The score line fails to show what Crossblades brought to this fixture, maybe not with attacking prowess, but with their defensive effort and teamwork.
The game started brightly for Borough, with Lane, Parker, Fortune and Newman all enjoyed a lot of the ball while being camped in the Crossblades half. A few half chances ensued but Hampshire was never really troubled. With 3 central midfielders and just 1 striker, Crossblades packed the midfield in an attempt to nullify Boroughs classy strikers. Really though, it was only a matter of time before the Crossblades goal was breached, a well worked moved ending with a one-two and the ball being fired in to the goal from an acute angle. The pattern of the remainder of the first half was much the same, Boroughs having all the ball, and Crossblades defending with resilience. North and Eardley were having good games at fullback and Mike Booth had the running of a young gazelle at the heart of an overworked Blades midfield. Several more chances came and went for Boroughs, Captain Tim Chilton cleared off the line and Hampshire made several good saves from the very accomplished strikers of Boroughs.
Sadly for Crossblades, shortly before half time the pressure became to much and Hampshire's goal was breached for Second time and Boroughs could show some relief in a game they should be winning by a more comfortable margin.
For the first 13 minutes of the second half Crossblades held firm and there was an air of frustration from Boroughs who, despite having at least 85% possession, could not make the final ball count. Lane and Genner stepped up for the home team and Crossblades monumental effort was fading rapidly. A fantastic passing move resulted in an attack down the right flank, the ball was crossed low and hard and despite Chilton and Matthews sliding tackles Sam Parker flicked home from 3 yards. Parity was restored shortly after when Parker's fantastic header gave boroughs a 4-0 lead and Parker his hatrick. Squire and Cole continued to challenge in midfield and there were moments of good football from Crossblades, yet with the ball 'just not bouncing' for the Blades, a keeper error and an unlucky flick from Liam Matthews resulted in 4-0 becoming 6-0 very quickly.
Walker and Jacobi replaced North and Eardley and both impressed with assured displays. With Owers, Chilton and Matthews throwing themselves at everything and the midfield pressing as hard as they could, Crossblades simply ran out of steam and Boroughs managed to add 2 more goals before the end of the game.
Prior to the game 8-0 would have seemed a fair result, indeed with so much possession Boroughs will feel that they earned their 8 goals. Yet several keeper errors and moments of fortune have given this Crossblades team hope for the season for the scoreline could have been considerably less.
The game was played in great spirit once again and Crossblades Manager Tim Chilton Was very complimentary of the hosts and wish good luck to Boroughs in there cup quest. Despite only 1 team being in this game, Boroughs will always remember the day they came up against the spirited Crossblades FC.
